Interchurch  World  Movement 
OF  North  America 


The  Church  in  the  City 

CONFERENCE  AT  CLEVELAND,  OHIO 
JUNE  10-12,  1919 


COMMITTEE  REPORTS 


Headquarters  of  the  Movement 
111  Fifth  Avenue  New  York  City 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/committeereportsOOchur 


COMMITTEE  REPORTS 

ON 

The  Church  in  the  City 


Submitted  at  the  Conference 
held  at  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
June  10-12, 1919 


Price,  10  cents  each,  75  cents 
per  dozen,  $6.00  per  hundred 


INTERCHURCH  WORLD  MOVEMENT 
OF  NORTH  AMERICA 


111  Fifth  Avenue 


New  York  City 


Foreword 


TT  HE  FOLLOWING  statements  were  submitted  to  the  Inter- 
church  conference  on  “The  Church  in  the  City,”  held  at  Cleve- 
land, June  10-12,  1919,  by  the  groups  which  devoted  a day  to 
the  interchange  of  experience  on  the  various  topics  here  re- 
ported on.  Two  hundred  men  and  women  interested  or 
engaged  in  the  work  of  the  church  in  the  city  were  in  attend- 
ance at  this  conference,  including  city  mission  executives, 
pastors  of  churches  in  downtown,  residential  and  suburban 
communities,  superintendents  of  rescue  missions,  community 
workers,  representatives  of  national  home  mission,  societies, 
of  seminaries  and  of  educational  institutions  engaged  in  train- 
ing workers  for  the  city  task.  These  reports  are  preliminary 
and  designed  to  help  the  City  Survey  and  Program  Council 
in  shaping  up  its  approach  to  the  social  and  religious  problems 
of  our  cities  from  the  standpoint  of  the  church.  More  thor- 
ough-going and  detailed  reports  will  be  made  in  the  light  of 
field  studies  and  further  conference.  The  experience  here 
refiected  is  largely  that  of  cities  in  the  East  and  Middle  West. 
Similar  conferences  will  be  held  in  the  South  and  on  the 
Pacific  Coast.  Criticism  and  suggestion  are  earnestly  re- 
quested from  all  those  concerned  in  the  work  of  the  church  in 
the  city.  Additional  copies  of  this  pamphlet  will  be  mailed 
upon  request.  Address  the  City  Survey  of  the  Interchurch 
World  Movement. 


The  Church  in  the  City 


Report  of  the  Committee  on 
The  City  Church  and  the  Present  In 
dustrial  and  Social  Crisis 

E AFFIRM  the  social  creed  of  our  churches,  expressed 
through  the  Federal  Council  of  the  Churches  of  Christ  in 
America. 


I.  Putting  the  Creed  to  Work 
To  further  the  actualization  of  that  creed: 

1.  We  commend  the  policy  of  the  denominational  boards  in 
setting  up  demonstration  centers  in  industrial  communities 
with  adequate  leadership,  equipment  and  budget,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  exhibiting  to  the  church  at  large,  by  free  experiment, 
the  practicability  of  an  efficient  Christian  progress  in  such 
communities.  We  urge  the  extension  and  amplification  of  this 
policy. 

2.  We  commend  the  promotion  through  the  agency  of  de- 
nominational and  interdenominational  bodies  and  of  local 
churches,  of  conferences  with  employers  and  employees,  and 
representatives  of  the  public,  to  the  end  of  mutual  under- 
standing and  cooperation  upon  a Christian  basis. 

3.  We  recommend  that  at  this  time  of  world  unrest  the 
churches  in  local  communities  be  encouraged  to  open  their 
doors  for  the  free  discussion  of  the  problems  of  our  common 
life,  in  which  moral  issues  are  involved.  We  believe  that  in 
such  discussion  opportunity  should  be  given  for  all  voices  in 
the  controversy  to  be  heard. 


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CLEVELAND  CONFERENCE  ON 


4.  We  urge  upon  the  various  interdenominational  and  de- 
nominational commissions  concerned  with  social  service  the 
organization  of  a unified  program  of  pubhcity  for  the  creation 
of  a Christian  public  opinion,  upon  industrial,  social  and  civic 
questions.  No  survey  of  the  city  and  her  problem  will  be 
worth  the  paper  upon  which  the  findings  are  written  unless 
and  until  the  facts  are  actually  given  to  the  public. 

5.  We  recommend  that  the  Interchurch  World  Movement 
seek  the  establishment  of  a permanent  research  commission, 
for  the  investigation  of  all  such  phases  of  industrial,  social  and 
civic  hfe  as  should  be  of  vital  concern  to  the  church.  This 
commission  should  be  established  in  consultation  and  in  co- 
operation with  the  commission  on  the  church  and  social  ser- 
vice of  the  Federal  Council  of  Churches  and  with  the  existing 
denominational  commissions  and  boards  having  to  do  with 
social  service.  It  should  be  provided  with  an  adequate  salaried 
staff  and  a budget  sufficient  for  the  purposes  of  a thorough 
scientific  analysis  of  the  problems  studied  and  the  publication 
of  its  findings. 

It  should  include  among  its  functions  the  following: 

(1)  The  investigation  of  crucial  situations  upon  the  basis 
of  the  accepted  standards  of  the  Christian  church,  reaf- 
firmed above. 

(2)  The  study  of  industrial  communities  with  a view  to 
discovering  the  most  effective  type  of  church  organization 
and  ministration,  the  type  of  leadership  required  and  the 
type  of  training  essential  for  the  equipment  of  such  lead- 
ers for  their  tasks. 


II.  Suggested  Inquiries 

In  determining  the  relation  of  the  churches  to  industrial,  civic 
and  reconstruction  problems,  the  studies  should  direct  the 
attention  of  the  churches  to  the  following  schedules: 


THE  CHURCH  IN  THE  CITY 


5 


1.  Is  the  city  in  question  provided  with  the  standard  social 
agencies  for  a city  of  its  size,  such  as  associated  charities, 
juvenile  court  and  its  accessory  agencies  (parole,  probation, 
detention  home),  humane  society,  child  caring  and  placing 
agency,  hospital  free  chnic,  legal  aid  socities,  visiting  nurses, 
home  for  the  aged,  etc. 

2.  Are  the  standard  welfare  agencies  of  a modern  city  gov- 
ernment in  operation  and  working  with  fair  efficiency?  (de- 
partment of  charities  and  corrections,  board  of  health  and 
public  recreation,  public  markets,  etc.) 

3.  Are  the  industries  of  the  community  organized  into  a 
chamber  of  commerce  or  board  of  trade,  and  has  this  chamber 
or  board  a community  spirit  and  organization? 

4.  What  are  the  labor  organizations  of  the  city?  What  is  the 
temper  and  management  of  the  labor  movement?  Are  women 
industrial  workers  well  organized?  Have  they  equal  wages 
with  men,  and  is  their  labor  protected?  Is  there  manifest  need 
of  organization  in  special  groups?  Is  there  child  labor? 

5.  Is  the  eight-hour  day  and  Saturday  half  holiday  in  force? 
Is  Sunday  labor  reduced  to  a minimum?  Is  there  one  day’s 
rest  in  seven? 

6.  Are  wages  on  a level  with  those  of  like  industries  in  com- 
munities of  the  same  size,  and  are  wages  adequate  and  ad- 
justed to  the  local  cost  of  living? 

7.  Is  labor  represented  in  community  organizations? 

8.  What  beginnings  have  been  made  in  the  participation  of 
labor  in  management  and  in  profit-sharing? 

9.  What  beginnings  have  been  made  in  cooperative  merchan- 
dising, marketing  and  production? 

10.  Is  there  abundant  provision  for  wholesome  and  well- 
supervised  recreation?  Is  there  proper  control  over  commer- 


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CLEVELAND  CONFERENCE  ON 


cialized  recreation?  Is  there  a city- wide  program  of  recrea- 
tion? 

11.  Has  there  been  a segregated  vice  district  in  the  city,  and 
has  it  been  abolished?  Is  there  provision  for  the  care  of 
prostitutes  and  for  the  clinical  treatment  of  infected  persons? 
What  is  the  attitude  of  the  city  government  toward  the  repres- 
sion of  vice? 

12.  Do  the  public  schools  meet  the  standards  set  by  the  state 
and  nation?  Are  there  manifest  educational  needs? 

13.  Has  the  community  adequate  social  centers?  Are  the 
churches  and  schools  developed  as  social  centers?  Are  the 
churches  in  touch  with  these  and  similar  movements  for 
recreation? 

14.  Is  there  a sufficient  organization  of  public  discussion 
through  such  agencies  as  advertising  clubs,  rotary  clubs, 
chambers  of  commerce,  community  and  church  forums?  Is 
there  freedom  of  discussion? 

15.  Is  there  serious  need  of  new  and  improved  housing;  and 
are  the  standards  of  housing  set  by  the  National  Housing 
Association  recognized? 

16.  What  is  the  extent  and  location  of  the  foreign-speaking 
districts?  Are  they  adequately  provided  with  schools, 
churches,  social  agencies,  housing,  water,  sanitation,  lighting, 
police  control  and  recreation,  including  parks  and  play 
grounds?  What  provision  has  been  made  for  effective  Ameri- 
canization? 

17.  Are  there  sufficient  religious  centers  for  cheap  boarding 
house  residence  districts,  and  are  they  of  the  proper  charac- 
ter? 

18.  Are  the  churches  in  the  industrial  residential  neighbor- 
hoods adequately  housed,  equipped  and  provided  with  staffs 
for  modern,  seven-day  church  and  community  work? 


THE  CHURCH  IN  THE  CITY 


7 


19.  Are  there  migratory  groups  in  the  community,  coming 
for  a part  of  each  year,  for  which  religious  and  social  provision 
should  be  made?  Are  there  also  detached  and  floating  groups, 
requiring  attention? 

20.  Are  the  women  of  the  local  churches  organized  for  co- 
operative service  with  their  sisters  who  are  industrial  workers, 
and  for  other  purposes  in  which,  as  citizens  and  home  makers, 
they  have  a direct  interest? 

21.  Is  there  a Negro  neighborhood  within  the  community,  and 
are  its  religious  forces  organized  for  the  welfare  of  the  race? 
Is  it  adequately  provided  with  churches,  schools,  social  agen- 
cies, housing,  sanitation,  lighting,  water,  police  control,  recre- 
ation, supervised  social  centers,  and  other  necessities  of  a 
modern  community?  Are  the  races  in  cooperation  for  com- 
munity welfare?  Is  there  sentiment  and  organization  against 
lynching  in  the  city  as  a whole?  Is  there  equal  vocational 
opportunity  for  the  Negro?  Is  the  separate  coach  law  in 
vogue,  and  are  travel  facilities  clean  and  adequate?  Is  there 
proper  training  for  citizenship? 

22.  How  intelligently  and  effectively  are  the  Protestant 
churches  organized  for  cooperation  with  community  agencies 
and  movements? 

23.  Are  Catholic,  Jewish  and  Protestant  religious  organiza- 
tions cooperating  in  community  service? 


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CLEVELAND  CONFERENCE  ON 


Report  of  the  Committee  on  the 
Downtown  Church 

TPhe  downtown  church  may,  in  general,  be  regarded 
as  a church  located  in  a center  of  business  on  a main  thorough- 
fare near  the  civic  center,  where  the  crowds  pass,  or  in  a 
district  from  which  the  normal  residential  population  has 
removed;  having  a transient  hotel  and  boarding  house  popula- 
tion with  its  sustaining  membership  for  the  most  part  living 
at  a distance,  or  is  it  a church  that  is  the  central  or  out- 
standing church  of  its  denomination  in,  or  near,  the  center  of 
the  city. 

The  Interchurch  World  Movement  should  emphasize  the  im- 
portance of  the  downtown  church  and  urge  upon  the  different 
denominations  the  need  of  a strong  outstanding  ministry  in 
the  heart  of  the  city,  with  a plant  properly  equipped  to  minister 
to  visitors,  transients  and  special  social  groups. 

The  immediate  and  ultimate  success  of  the  downtown  church 
depends  on  a continuous  evangelistic  message  and  appeal  to 
the  passing  throngs,  and  a pulpit  leadership  of  clear  and 
prophetic  thinking  on  the  current  questions  of  social,  eco- 
nomic and  political  interest,  the  rehgious  and  spiritual  impli- 
cations of  which  are  too  often  ignored.  We  must  spiritualize 
the  social  order,  and  the  preacher  of  the  gospel  who  stands 
at  the  center  of  teeming  commercial  and  civil  life  is  in  a 
position  of  unique  responsibility  and  power. 

I.  Staff 

Pastoral  leadership  must  be  reenforced  by  a staff  of  paid 
workers  to  take  care  of  highly  speciaUzed  types  of  work. 
While  the  staff  will  depend  in  its  development  on  two  things : 
first,  the  local  situation,  and  second,  the  pastor  in  charge,  yet, 
as  the  result  of  the  discussion  setting  forth  the  best  experience 
with  the  downtown  church,  it  should  take  these  general  forms : 


THE  CHURCH  IN  THE  CITY 


9 


1.  Church  secretary 

2.  Associate  pastor  or  pastors 

3.  Parish  visitors 

4.  Director  of  reUgious  education 

5.  A director  of  recreation 

6.  A district  nurse,  where  it  is  advantageous. 

The  committee  does  not  attempt  to  prescribe  the  order  in 
which  the  staff  shall  be  developed,  but  any  paid  staff  of  work- 
ers must  build  up  from  the  membership  a staff  of  volunteer 
workers,  and  train  and  direct  them. 

The  downtown  church  should  have  a dual  ministry;  to  its 
immediate  neighborhood  and  to  the  city  at  large,  an  intensive 
and  extensive  work  in  its  own  city.  It  should  seek  to  function 
helpfully  in  as  many  ways  as  possible  to  the  people  who  hve  in 
the  immediate  vicinity,  and  an  open  church  ministering  to  all 
neighborhood  groups,  adopting  the  community  center  and 
settlement  idea  as  the  ideal.  Through  its  pastor  and  staff  it 
should  also  affiliate  and  cooperate  with  every  preventive  and 
remedial  agency  or  welfare  organization  wherever  possible. 
It  should  seek  to  be  involved  instinctively  with  every  vital  in- 
terest of  the  city  and  keep  a city-wide  conscience  on  moral 
issues.  To  it  the  denomination  and  the  Christian  forces  of  the 
city  should  be  able  to  look  for  moral  and  spiritual  leadership. 

We  feel  that  the  Interchurch  World  Movement  should  seek  to 
emphasize  the  value  of  the  downtown  church  and  state  a 
policy  of  retaining  the  constituent  membership  as  members 
and  workers  downtown,  even  though  they  move  into  what  is 
known  as  the  residential  districts. 

From  past  experience  it  is  evident  that  the  future  of  some 
downtown  churches  can  be  assured  only  by  income  from  some 
sort  of  endowment,  or  from  other  special  sources;  but  the 
welfare  of  the  church  itself  requires  that  as  far  as  possible 
self-support  be  maintained  in  order  to  insure  the  cooperation. 


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CLEVELAND  CONFERENCE  ON 


interest  and  development  of  the  membership.  Income  from 
endowment  until  need  arises  should  be  devoted  to  wider  king- 
dom uses,  only  being  used  for  local  support  where  absolutely 
necessary,  to  meet  the  ever  increasing  demands. 


II.  Equipment 

The  downtown  church  should  have  a modern,  up-to-date  build- 
ing and  equipment  to  meet  the  discovered  needs  of  its  varied 
ministry.  This  equipment  will  be  adapted  broadly  to  a pro- 
gram of  social,  recreational,  educational  and  evangelistic  work. 
Only  after  careful  local  survey  of  the  community  and  advice 
from  competent  specialists  should  the  large  sums  necessary 
be  expended  to  erect  and  equip  the  plant.  The  old  and  out- 
worn ecclesiastical  structure  of  a generation  gone  will  not 
suffice. 

We  suggest  the  appointment  of  a permanent  committee  to 
study,  in  connection  with  the  general  survey  of  the  Interchurch 
World  Movement,  all  the  problems  connected  with  the  down- 
town church  and  provide  for  the  closest  possible  cooperation 
between  denominations  in  all  downtown  churches  to  make 
Christianity’s  message  and  ministry  at  the  heart  of  our  civili- 
zation effective. 


THE  CHURCH  IN  THE  CITY 


11 


Report  of  the  Committee  on 
The  Church  in  City -Residential  and 
Suburban  Communities 

I F THE  church  is  to  maintain  its  strength  and  efficiency  in 
the  city  as  well  as  capture  our  populous  centers  for  the  king- 
dom of  God,  then  there  must  be  the  largest  wisdom  and  the 
finest  strategy  in  the  location  of  churches  in  residential  and 
suburban  districts  as  well  as  a thorough-going  adequacy  in 
their  support.  These  residential  churches  are  facing  numer- 
ous and  serious  problems,  among  which  we  note  as  most  acute 
and  insistent  the  following: 

1.  The  overcrowding  of  churches  in  certain  residential  cen- 
ters with  the  resultant  waste  and  unseemly  competitive 
programs. 

2.  The  difficulty  of  enlisting  the  full  cooperation  and  support 
of  the  real  Christian  constituency  of  a residential  community 
in  those  churches  nearest  to  the  people.  It  is  the  obvious 
custom  of  many  pastors  and  church  officers  to  seek  to  retain 
the  membership  of  their  members  as  they  move  to  the  resi- 
dential and  suburban  districts  or  from  city  to  city.  The 
tendency  resultant  from  such  procedure  very  often  loosens 
the  ties  of  religious  interest  in  the  home  church,  while  making 
unlikely  or  impossible  the  forming  of  new  ties  in  the  new 
location.  The  gravity  of  the  situation  is  accentuated  by  the 
all  too  common  willingness  on  the  part  of  many  church  mem- 
bers to  indulge  in  the  desire  for  spiritual  relaxation  as  they 
take  residence  in  a new  place. 

3.  The  shifting  of  our  urban  populations.  This  creates  one 
of  our  gravest  problems.  It  has  become  almost  a hazard  to 
locate  a city  church.  Not  only  is  there  the  constant  movement 


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CLEVELAND  CONFERENCE  ON 


of  the  city  people  toward  the  suburbs,  but  the  changing  char- 
acter of  our  residential  neighborhoods,  the  development  of 
apartment  and  boarding  house  districts,  the  transient  char- 
acter of  the  new  residents,  as  well  as  the  incoming  tides  of 
multitudes  who  by  reason  of  differences  of  race,  color,  lan- 
guage or  traditions,  change  completely  the  character  of  given 
residential  communities  and  present  to  the  church  there  a 
new  set  of  problems. 

4.  The  complexity  of  the  social  life  of  the  members.  The 
claim  of  various  organizations  upon  their  leisure  time  and 
thought,  the  abundance  of  recreational  facihties  outside  the 
church,  and  the  insistence  of  civic,  fraternal  and  social  de- 
mands upon  the  mental  and  financial  resources  of  the  people, 
all  complicate  the  problems  of  the  requisition  of  the  church 
upon  the  week-day  time  and  energy  of  its  members. 

5.  The  problem  of  our  youth  and  childhood.  This  is  constant 
and  acute.  At  the  very  period  of  most  abounding  energy  for 
the  youth,  the  church  must  be  constructive  in  its  program 
for  our  boys  and  girls  rather  than  oppressive.  Their  life  is  a 
total,  and  religion  must  interpret  life  to  them  as  a whole. 
Therefore,  the  church  is  facing  not  merely  the  problem  of 
ministration  to  the  needs  of  youth  on  the  side  of  worship  and 
devotion,  but  also  on  the  side  of  rehgious  education,  social 
activity,  service  and  recreation.  This  problem  of  its  youth  is 
one  of  most  serious  concern  to  the  church. 

6.  The  problem  of  unifying  the  total  rehgious  effort  and  pro- 
gram of  the  communities  so  as  to  create  or  conserve  an  es- 
sential community  consciousness.  The  residential  churches 
should  seek  to  avoid  the  decisive  reactions  so  painfully  visible 
in  many  instances,  and  to  coordinate  the  education,  social, 
service  and  community  features  of  our  program  in  the  inter- 
ests of  comity,  economy  and  a single  Christian  impact  upon 
the  community. 

7.  The  necessity  of  providing  extra-church  activities.  An- 
other problem  of  the  residential  church,  particularly  in  those 


THE  CHURCH  IN  THE  CITY 


13 


districts  uniformly  American  and  well-to-do,  is  to  furnish  to 
our  members  an  adequate  range  for  Christian  service  beyond 
the  activities  of  the  church  itself. 

8.  A method  of  approach.  To  meet  these  and  other  problems 
the  residential  churches  are  called  to  serious  study,  earnest 
prayer  and  dehberative  counsel. 

Federation  of  effort  and  unity  of  interdenominational  purpose 
will  study  the  residential  and  suburban  field  and  locate  new 
churches  with  a wisdom  and  strategy  which  the  importance 
of  the  proceeding  involves.  These  churches  will  be  planted 
deeply  in  selected  centers  to  remain  through  the  years;  they 
will  be  equipped  and  financed  and  adjusted  to  the  changing 
needs  of  the  community.  They  will  push  out  into  the  commu- 
nity in  a service  so  unselfish  and  Christian  as  to  justify  their 
existence.  They  will  maintain  a staff  of  paid  and  trained 
workers,  organized  about  the  pastor,  to  care  for  educational, 
musical,  social,  recreational  and  parish  activities.  They  will 
prepare  in  advance  for  coming  changes  of  population  and  not 
wait  until  the  receding  tides  of  their  constituents  have  left 
them  high  and  dry  before  adjusting  plant  program  and  type 
of  ministry  to  the  new  conditions.  They  will  be  permanent 
Christian  watch  towers,  and  may  be  changed  but  not  removed. 
The  pulpit  of  the  residential  church  must  be  a throne  of  power. 
The  prophetic  voice  must  be  heard,  and  the  gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ  proclaimed  in  terms  of  present-day  life.  Therefore,  the 
forces  of  Christian  administration,  not  merely  local  nor  de- 
nominational, but  interdenominational,  must  master  the  prob- 
lems of  the  residential  church,  locating  it  wisely,  planting  it 
deeply,  manning  it  strongly,  equipping  it  fully,  financing  it  ade- 
quately, and  establishing  it  permanently,  if  the  kingdom  of 
God  is  to  come  in  the  city.  As  an  instrument  of  promise  and 
efficient  cooperation  we  hail  the  advent  of  the  Interchurch 
World  Movement  in  its  survey  and  program  of  federated 
Christian  effort  in  our  American  cities. 


14 


CLEVELAND  CONFERENCE  ON 


Report  of  the  Committee  on 
Work  Among  the  Foreign -Speaking 

People 

I N UNDERTAKING  work  among  foreign-speaking  and  for- 
eign-born peoples  we  have  as  our  supreme  purpose  service  of 
the  neighborhood  at  every  point  of  need.  We  desire  to  incul- 
cate the  spirit  of  Christ  in  individual  lives  and  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, and  we  urge  the  incorporation  in  the  program  to  be 
undertaken  of  a presentation  of  the  Christian  message,  and 
we  recognize  the  need  for  organized  association  of  those  who 
share  the  spirit  and  purpose  of  Jesus,  but  we  do  not  insist 
that  this  association  must  necessarily  be  found  in  the 
Protestant  Church. 


I.  Cooperation 

We  beheve  the  church  should  have  an  interest  in  all  neighbor- 
hood agencies  which  aim  to  meet  any  human  need,  and  if  a 
need  is  not  being  met,  the  church  should  make  provision  for  it, 
either  directly  or  in  cooperation  with  an  agency  estabhshed  for 
that  purpose.  This  would  include  recreation,  teaching  of 
English  and  civics,  industrial  classes,  open  forum,  relief  and 
aid,  industrial  relations  and  other  activities.  In  any  case,  the 
church  should  work  out  a conservation  program  designed  to 
gather  up  the  results  of  such  neighborhood  cooperation. 


II.  English  and  Citizenship 

It  Is  our  opinion  that  the  foreign-speaking  churches  have  an 
unusual  opportunity  to  assist  in  the  general  movement  for  a 
more  complete  Americanization  of  our  county.  While  we 
recognize  that  the  entire  program  of  the  church  makes  for 


THE  CHURCH  IN  THE  CITY 


15 


Americanization,  nevertheless  certain  elements,  such  as  the 
study  of  citizenship  and  the  use  of  the  English  language,  are 
essential  and  should  be  emphasized. 


III.  Methods  of  Approach 

Though  experience  has  shown  the  value  of  various  modes  of 
approach  to  foreign-speaking  peoples,  viz:  by  colporteur, 
woman  worker  or  so-called  mission,  nevertheless,  because  of 
the  many  instances  of  failure,  due  to  the  unseemly  appear- 
ance of  buildings,  inadequate  equipment,  narrow  and  limited 
programs,  and  untrained  workers,  we  recommend  that  in 
every  new  approach  to  a foreign-speaking  group,  whether 
racially  solid  or  polyglot,  there  be  formulated  at  the  outset  a 
strong  program  of  worship,  religious,  educational,  and  social 
ministry  with  proper  building,  equipment  and  specially  trained 
leaders  and  staff  workers — a program  which  shall  be  adequate 
to  the  needs  of  the  situation,  and  which  shall  command  atten- 
tion and  respect. 

In  cases  where  English-speaking  churches  are  being 
surrounded  by  foreign-speaking  people,  English-speaking 
churches  are  urged  to  adapt  their  ministry  to  the  changing 
conditions  by  the  introduction  of  a social  and  educational 
program  and  a democratic  departmental  organization. 


16 


CLEVELAND  CONFERENCE  ON 


Report  of  the  Committee  on 
The  Church  and  the  Rescue  Mission 

I N EVERY  large  city,  in  the  cheap  lodging  house  districts 
and  in  decadent  business  and  residential  neighborhoods,  are 
to  be  found  men,  women  and  children  who  are  the  victints  of 
drink,  vice,  crime  and  poverty. 

Many  are  subnormal  in  mentality,  many  are  nervous  wrecks 
who  have  gone  down  under  the  industrial  and  social  strain  of 
the  city  hfe,  many  have  never  had  a fair  chance,  and  many 
have  wasted  brilliant  talents  and  fine  opportunities.  EspeciaDy 
pitiable  are  the  children  of  these  districts. 

Usually  from  these  neighborhoods  the  churches  have  removed 
to  more  favored  communities.  Often  the  churches  that  remain 
maintain  a type  of  service  and  standard  of  worship  that  do 
not  attract  these  unfortunate  denizens  of  the  city  streets. 

One  of  the  best  known  organizations  which  has  arisen  to 
challenge  these  desperate  conditions  is  the  rescue  mission.  In 
calling  the  attention  of  the  conference  to  the  place  and  possi- 
bihties  of  this  agency  in  the  religious  fife  of  our  large  cities 
we  present  the  following  findings : 

I.  Democracy  Within  the  Church 

We  urge  upon  the  churches  and  pastors  of  churches  in  the 
more  favored  sections  of  our  cities  a greater  interest  in  and 
sympathy  for  the  specific  work  which  the  rescue  mission  is 
doing. 

The  new  conception  of  democracy,  to  be  thorough-going, 
must  embrace  the  spiritual  and  social  life  of  every  member, 
however  humble,  of  the  church  of  Christ.  We  hold  that  men 
and  women  painfully  striving  again  to  stand  erect  should  be 


THE  CHURCH  IN  THE  CITY 


17 


admitted  into  the  full  sympathetic  and  ecclesiastical  fellow- 
ship of  evangelical  churches;  and  that  the  attitude  of  Christ 
toward  publicans  and  sinners  and  the  afflicted  (He  first  touched 
the  repulsive  leper,  then  healed  him),  should  receive  attention 
with  special  reference  to  Christian  activities  in  abnormal  and 
subnormal  centers  of  population. 

11.  Necessary  Readjustment 

We  would  call  attention  to  the  necessity  of  the  readjustment 
of  the  work  of  the  rescue  mission  in  view  of  the  passing  of  the 
saloon.  In  the  minds  of  many  it  is  believed  that  there  will  be 
for  a time  a widespread  pohtical  and  social  restlessness  and 
defiance  of  prohibition  laws  in  urban  communities;  but  that 
on  the  whole,  even  in  this  transitional  period,  the  temptations 
of  alcohol  will  be  lessened.  Consequently  close  study  of 
changed  methods  and  policies  in  the  work  of  the  rescue 
mission  is  recommended. 

But  while  this  study  is  demanded,  it  must  not  be  overlooked 
that  the  sloth,  the  criminal,  the  drug  addict,  the  defective,  the 
degenerate,  the  dependent,  the  ignorant,  who  instinctively 
seek  to  hide  their  identity  in  large  cities,  will  remain.  These 
classes  need  the  ministry  of  the  rescue  mission,  and  wiU  never 
cease  to  need  it. 

III.  A Closer  Identification 

We  are  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  a closer  identification 
of  the  rescue  mission,  as  an  organization,  with  organized 
church  life. 

The  church  is  now  assuming  responsibilities  which  she  has  too 
often  in  the  past  delegated  to  other  bodies.  We  believe  that 
the  time  has  come  when  the  church  of  Christ  itself,  preferably 
through  the  several  evangelical  denominations  as  its  manda- 
tories, should  assume  responsibility  for  the  rescue  mission. 
We  advance  four  reasons  for  this  change  of  policy.  ____ 


18 


CLEVELAND  CONFERENCE  ON 


1.  The  history  of  independent  rescue  missions,  dependent 
upon  voluntary  contributions  and  controlled  by  close  corpora- 
tions, shows  in  a lamentably  large  number  of  instances  that 
either  financial  support  fails  after  the  first  burst  of  enthusiasm 
dies,  or  that  in  their  activities  the  emphasis  is  shifted  from  the 
spiritual  to  social  or  industrial  phases  of  the  work.  In  either 
case  the  mission  ceases  to  function  normally. 

2.  Competent  local  leadership,  so  difficult  to  secure  for  an 
independent  work,  can  more  readily  be  obtained  if  the  mission 
is  affiliated  with  a religious  denomination. 

3.  Financial  control  of  a denominational  agency  creates  de- 
nominational responsibility  and  insures  against  financial  errors 
and  mismanagement. 

4.  It  is  our  unanimous  conviction  that  for  the  highest  effi- 
ciency, a local  church  denominationally  affiliated,  with  varied 
activities,  (see  following  section  of  this  report),  should,  as 
an  organization,  supplant  the  rescue  mission.  Nothing  less 
than  a local  church  with  a constitution,  the  ordinances,  an 
order  of  worship,  responsibilities  and  enlarged  service  to  the 
community  can,  in  our  judgment,  appeal  to  the  newly  awak- 
ened consciousness  of  personality  which  men  today  in  the 
congested  districts,  as  throughout  the  world,  are  acquiring. 

IV.  Scope  of  Activities 

We  suggest  the  following  activities  in  connection  with  the  local 
church  just  mentioned: 

1.  Spiritual:  Men  need  to  repent  of  their  sins  and  by  faith  find 
peace  with  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

2.  Physical:  The  physically  disabled  need  the  Christian  physi- 
cian; also  wholesome  food,  shelter  and  raiment.  Especially 
is  a home-shelter  for  follow-up  work  a necessity. 


THE  CHURCH  IN  THE  CITY 


19 


3.  Mental:  The  mentally  diseased  need  the  careful  and  sym- 
pathetic attention  of  a psychopathic  diagnosis  and  treatment. 

4.  Industrial:  The  unskilled  need  an  opportunity  to  learn  a 
productive  trade  and  thereby  to  obtain  permanent  employ- 
ment. They  then  cease  to  be  a menace  to  the  industrial  order. 

5.  Social  and  Recreational:  These  men  need  the  movies  and 
other  entertainment;  also  something  more.  They  need  to  have 
their  longings  for  friendship  met.  This  class  feels  no  more 
at  home  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  social  life  than  they  do  in  the 
conventional  church  of  today.  Their  special  natures  are  not 
being  ministered  to. 


V.  Conclusion 

It  is  to  the  credit  of  the  organized  church  that  she  is  under- 
taking to  prevent  conditions  that  breed  the  slums.  She  has 
successfully  fought  segregated  vice  and  the  unspeakable 
saloon.  She  will  not  cease  her  labors  till  drug  fiends  are  only 
a memory;  till  gambling,  the  white-slave  traffic  and  prize- 
fighting are  suppressed.  The  sweat-shop,  the  dirty  lodging 
house,  the  mismanaged  jail  and  a judicial  procedure  that 
delays  and  defeats  justice  must  give  way  to  her  persistent 
attacks.  And  we  predict  that  in  the  campaign  against  these 
evils  the  local  church,  the  successor  of  the  rescue  mission, 
adequately  supported,  manned  and  equipped  just  as  educa- 
tional institutions  are  adequately  maintained  in  their  spheres 
of  activity,  will  have  an  honorable  place. 


20 


CLEVELAND  CONFERENCE  ON 


Report  of  the  Committee  on 
The  Organization  and  Management  of 
City  Mission  and  Church  Ex- 
tension Societies 

TP  HE  COMMITTEE  on  the  Organization  and  Management 
of  City  Mission  and  Church  Extension  Societies  reports  its 
strong  conviction  of  the  necessity  for  a greatly  enlarged  and 
unified  city  program  by  the  Protestant  communions  in  larger 
American  cities.  The  city  with  its  masses  occupied  a central 
place  in  the  message  and  ministry  of  Christ.  The  entire 
church  must  now  look  upon  these  centers  through  the  eyes  of 
Him  who  had  compassion  upon  the  multitudes  when  he  saw 
them  distressed  and  scattered  as  sheep  not  having  a shepherd. 
We  are  convinced  that  the  Interchurch  World  Movement  can- 
not give  too  much  attention  to  the  American  city. 

The  modern  city  is  in  a state  of  fiux.  All  our  cities  are  facing 
rapid  growth  in  population  with  which  we  have  not  been  able 
to  keep  pace.  The  immigrant  populations  of  the  first  and 
second  generations,  who  are  in  the  majority  in  most  of  the 
large  centers,  are  not  being  adequately  ministered  to  by  the 
existing  agencies.  Certain  groups  of  these  people  are  prac- 
tically untouched.  The  infiux  of  Southern  Negroes  into  North- 
ern cities,  the  rapid  shifts  of  population,  the  diminishing  en- 
rolment of  our  Sunday  schools,  the  economic  injustices  and 
unhealthful  social  conditions  under  which  the  majority  of  our 
people  in  large  cities  live,  the  justifiable  social  unrest  and 
discontent  among  the  workers,  the  failure  of  Christianity  to 
inspire  and  direct  the  life  of  the  city  as  a whole,  the  removal 
of  much  of  the  natural  leadership  of  men  and  money  to  the 
suburbs,  demand  a new  concentration  of  Christian  effort  upon 
the  city.  Because  of  the  infiuence  which  it  exerts  upon  the 
life  of  the  country  far  out  of  proportion  to  its  relative  popula- 
tion, the  city,  through  its  newspapers  and  periodicals,  its  social 


THE  CHURCH  IN  THE  CITY 


21 


and  anti-social  agencies,  its  educational  institutions  and  its 
business  enterprises,  is  determining  the  future  character  of 
America. 

Not  only  does  the  future  of  American  Christianity  depend  upon 
a vastly  increased  expenditure  of  effort  in  the  city,  but  the 
success  of  any  Christian  world  program  depends  upon  our 
winning  the  control  of  the  entire  life  of  our  American  cities 
for  Jesus  Christ. 


I.  Organization 

1.  Most  of  our  city  organizations  came  into  existence  either 
as  “church  extension”  or  “city  missionary  societies.”  For  this 
reason  many  of  them  are  called  “city  missionary  and  church 
extension  societies.”  We  hold  that  this  does  not  make  the  best 
psychological  impression,  because  it  limits  and  hampers,  in  the 
minds  of  those  who  hear  or  see  the  name,  the  scope  of  the 
society’s  activities.  We  recommend  that  some  such  name  as 

“The  (name  of  denomination)  City  Society,”  or  “The 

Church  Union”  or  “The  Executive  Council”  of  such-and-such 
a city  would  be  a better  name. 

2.  That  people  who  make  their  hving  in  the  city,  and  hve 
outside  the  city,  have  no  responsibility  for  the  redemption  of 
the  city  is  a fiction  that  does  not  even  deceive  themselves. 
Therefore,  the  territory  of  a city  society  should  be,  not  only 
the  city  proper,  but  also  the  environs  of  the  city  as  far  out  as 
people  generally  live,  the  center  of  whose  business,  economic 
or  industrial  life  is  the  city.  Within  this  whole  territory  the 
city  society  should  be  authorized  to  collect  and  disburse 
monies,  thus  making  possible  the  best  service,  not  only  to  the 
congested  centers,  but  also  to  the  growing  suburban  com- 
munities. 

3.  The  city  society  of  any  particular  denomination  should  be 
thoroughly  representative;  i.  e.,  each  church  of  the  denomi- 
nation should  be  represented  in  the  membership  of  the  society. 

The  city  society  should  also  be  the  representative  of  general 
denominational  movements  in  the  city;  for  example,  it  should 


22 


CLEVELAND  CONFERENCE  ON 


be  the  local  operating  agency  of  the  general  board  of  home 
missions  and  church  extension  in  the  city. 

The  city  society  should  be  the  clearinghouse  and  articulating 
agency  for  all  denominational  movements  within  the  city, 
such  as  evangelism,  social  service,  philanthropy,  religious 
education;  movements  for  the  development  of  the  spirit  of 
connectional  life  and  fellowship,  etc. 

The  city  society  should  also  be  the  instrument  for  furnishing 
denominational  representation  in  the  Federation  of  Churches. 
Therefore,  we  recommend  that  a city  society  should  have  at 
least  the  following  departments  of  activities; 

1.  Local  church  extension. 

2.  Church  sustentation. 

3.  Downtown  churches. 

4.  Work  for  foreign-speaking  peoples. 

5.  Industrial  evangelism  and  relationships. 

6.  Social  service:  Christian  settlements,  vacation  Bible 

schools,  fresh  air  farms,  etc. 

7.  Religious  education. 

8.  Philanthropic  institutions. 

9.  Connectional  life  and  fellowship. 

10.  Interdenominational  relationships,  interchurch  rela- 
tionships. 

We  hold  that  there  should  be  only  one  interdenominational 
organization  in  each  city,  the  membership  of  which  in  the 
larger  cities  shall  be  appointed  by  the  proper  denominational 
organizations  of  the  city.  This  body  should  handle,  through 
properly  constituted  commissions,  all  questions  of  comity  and 
movements  and  activities  that  claim  interdenominational 
support. 

The  Committee  on  City  Mission  and  Church  Extension  So- 
cieties, recognizing  the  necessity  of  seeking  to  focus  the 
thought  of  the  churches  of  Jesus  Christ  in  America  upon 
the  problems  of  the  storm  centers  of  population,  our  great 
cities  and  metropohtan  districts,  at  this  supreme  moment 


THE  CHURCH  IN  THE  CITY 


23 


of  opportunity  in  the  development  of  our  Christian  democracy, 
desires  to  express  its  conviction  that  a cooperative  survey  and 
program,  based  upon  new  as  well  as  existing  studies  of  all 
church  agencies,  city  populations  and  problems  in  question, 
will  be  of  inestimable  value  in  securing  additional  data  that 
will  lead  to  clear  thought,  wise  decisions,  increased  budgets, 
and  remarkable  results  in  the  operation  of  all  denominational 
programs  already  projected. 

But  besides  this,  the  committee  feels  that  a hearty  cooperation 
(interdenominational)  in  the  project  of  a careful  survey  and 
the  formulation  of  an  interchurch  program  will  not  only 
cement  all  existing  interdenominational  understandings  and 
adjustments,  but  will,  by  its  heroic  scope  and  fearless  ven- 
ture, invite  the  active  confidence  and  ungrudging  good  will 
of  large  industrial,  social  and  educational  interests  hereto- 
fore unaffiliated. 

For  these  reasons  the  Committee  would  most  respectfully 
urge  all  city  missions,  church  extension  societies  and  church 
federations  throughout  the  country  to  unite  at  the  earliest 
possible  moment  in  taking  all  necessary  steps  in  their  own 
cities  for  organizing  and  developing  committees  and  person- 
nel for  the  proposed  Interchurch  Survey  and  Program,  so 
that  this  program  may  become  both  a denominational  in- 
spiration and  an  interdenominational  power  for  the  trans- 
formation of  our  great  congested  areas  into  cities  of  God. 

In  conclusion,  we  have  found  so  much  of  value  and  help- 
ful suggestion  in  this  conference,  that  we  recommend  that 
arrangements  be  made  to  call  such  an  interdenominational 
gathering  of  city  society  workers  annually. 


24 


CLEVELAND  CONFERENCE  ON 


Report  of  the  Committee  on  the 
City  Survey 

I.  The  Approach  to  a City  in  the  Matter  of  a Survey 

1.  Contact  will  be  established  in  the  first  place  with  the 
official  representatives  of  denominational  home  mission  and 
church  extension  agencies  functioning  in  the  city,  or  in  a 
county  in  which  there  may  be  smaller  cities. 

2.  In  conference  with  such  official  representatives  the  pro- 
cedure to  be  followed  in  setting  up  the  local  Interchurch 
Survey  Committee  will  be  agreed  upon.  It  is  important  that 
such  local  committees  include  local  pastors  and  laymen. 

II.  The  Aim  and  Scope  of  the  Survey 

1.  An  adequate  program.  The  objective  of  the  Interchurch 
World  Movement  city  survey  is  to  discover  and  develop  an 
adequate  program  for  the  Protestant  churches  of  the  cities 
of  America. 

Note. — It  is  assumed  that  the  inception  of  this  program 
will  naturally  lead  to  participation  in  and  use  by  the 
churches  of  social,  industrial,  economic  and  other  sur- 
veys, so  as  continuously  to  disclose  facts  and  conditions. 

2.  For  City  mission  and  church  extension  agencies.  The 
survey  will  aim  to  furnish  local  denominational  city  mission 
or  church  extension  agencies  carrying  on  mission  work  in 
the  city  with  the  data  necessary  for  an  adequate  city  pro- 
gram, a program  to  be  budgeted  in  the  terms  of  church  build- 
ings, equipment,  manses  and  maintenance,  including  a spe- 
cification of  leadership  required.  The  survey  will  cover: 

(1)  Downtown,  immigrant  and  industrial  communities. 


THE  CHURCH  IN  THE  CITY 


25 


(2)  Other  residential  communities. 

(3)  Exceptional  groups. 

(4)  All  existing  home  mission  and  church  extension  projects 
in  the  city  and  denominational  programs  for  new  and  ad- 
vance work  so  far  as  developed. 

3.  For  all  churches.  In  recognition  of  the  fact  that  the 
church  can  only  fulfil  her  task  in  the  city  by  bringing  every 
local  church  to  the  maximum  of  service,  and  through  the  co- 
ordination of  the  interest  and  effort  of  all  the  churches  as 
over  against  the  city’s  need,  the  Interchurch  World  Move- 
ment in  the  city  survey  will  aim  also : 

(1)  To  have  each  local  church,  self-sustaining  as  well  as 
aid-receiving,  make  a study  of  its  own  neighborhood,  its  own 
organization  and  work,  in  order  to  raise  the  standard  of  its 
service. 

(2)  To  have  the  churches  individually  and  as  a group  take 
account  of  the  economic,  social  and  civic  conditions  in  the 
city  in  order  that  the  Christian  forces  may  better  cooperate 
in  the  building  up  of  a Christian  city  community  life  and  a 
Christian  social  order. 

(3)  To  study  the  social  and  religious  agencies  at  work  in 
the  city,  with  a view  to  securing  unity  of  purpose  and  the 
largest  measure  of  cooperation, 

III.  Method  of  Survey 

1.  Local  committee.  A local  committee  will  be  organized 
as  suggested  above.  Where  necessary,  the  services  of  a 
director  for  the  survey  should  be  secured.  For  the  metro- 
politan areas  a director  will  be  appointed  by  the  Interchurch 
World  Movement. 

2.  Denominational  classification  of  projects.  Each  local  de- 
nominational agency  will  prepare  at  once  and  submit  to  the 


26 


CLEVELAND  CONFERENCE  ON 


Survey  Committee  a preliminary  classification  of  all  the 
churches  of  the  city  of  that  denomination,  listing  same  on 
a sheet  to  be  furnished,  under  the  following  classifications ; 

Class  1.  Aided  churches,  which,  with  proper  promotion, 
may  come  to  adequate  self-support  within  five  years. 

Class  2.  Aided  missionary  enterprises  which,  without 
reference  to  prospects  of  self-support,  may  with  proper 
development  occupy  a position  of  strategic  importance 
in  the  service  of  an  exceptional  community,  such  as  a 
church  in  a congested  downtown  or  immigrant  com- 
munity. 

Class  3.  Problematical  churches  where  uncertainties  of 
population,  of  industry  or  other  factors  raise  a question 
as  to  the  future.  This  class  will  include  among  others, 
churches  which  ought  to  be  transferred  to  other  de- 
nominations or  abandoned. 

Class  4.  Self-sustaining  churches  which,  with  new  equip- 
ment, added  leadership  and  maintenance,  would  greatly 
increase  their  service  to  the  community. 

Class  5.  Other  self-sustaining  churches. 

3.  Statement  of  present  denominational  programs.  In  those 
cases  where  the  denominations  have  more  or  less  mature 
programs  for  the  development  of  existing  projects  or  the 
entering  of  new  fields,  it  is  deemed  highly  important  that 
these  be  offered  for  consideration  and  discussion. 

4.  Preliminary  mapping  of  the  city.  Large  wall  maps  will 
be  prepared.  It  is  desirable  that  at  least  three  maps  be 
made : 

(1)  Showing  the  location  of  all  churches,  synagogues  and 
Christian  agencies,  with  key.  (Interchurch  World  Movement 
will  furnish  standardized  legend.) 


THE  CHURCH  IN  THE  CITY 


27 


(2)  Showing  the  areas  in  which  recent  immigrant  popu- 
lations and  other  special  populations  are  predominant.  This 
map  will  also  show  the  present  movements  of  such  popula- 
tions. The  same  color  designations  will  be  employed  in  all 
cities,  according  to  a scheme  to  be  furnished. 

(3)  Showing  the  industrial  concerns  of  the  cities  and  in- 
dustrial populations. 

5.  Districting  the  city.  District  the  city  according  to  nat- 
ural local  and  neighborhood  conditions  for  the  purposes  of 
survey  and  cooperation.  In  large  cities  secure  a local  com- 
mittee and  director  for  the  survey  in  such  districts.  The 
boundaries  of  these  districts  should  conform  with  census 
units  to  be  used  in  the  next  census. 

6.  A study  of  the  local  community  and  the  local  churches. 
In  the  different  neighborhoods  and  districts  of  the  city  the 
following  studies  will  be  made  through  the  churches: 

(1)  A population  census,  with  a tabulation  of  the  facts 
secured,  such  as  racial,  religious,  economic,  etc. 

(2)  The  social  problems  and  social  agencies  in  the  neigh- 
borhood or  district. 

(3)  A study  of  the  local  churches  and  their  contracts  with 
the  neighborhood  and  the  city  community  as  a whole,  in- 
cluding: 


a.  The  church  building  and  its  equipment. 

b.  Membership,  organization,  staff,  and  budget  for  main- 
tenance and  benevolence. 

c.  Religious  education. 

d.  Community  service:  (to  the  neighborhood,  city, 
state,  nation  and  wider  world). 


28 


CLEVELAND  CONFERENCE  ON 


e.  Worship  and  the  pulpit.  Recruiting. 

f.  A program  for  the  future  and  a summary  of  needs, 
budgeted  in  the  terms  of  building,  equipment,  and  main- 
tenance, including  leadership. 

7.  Church  relations  to  the  larger  life.  There  will  also  be 
made  a study  of  the  churches  in  their  relations  to  the  larger 
life  of  the  city,  community  and  some  of  its  special  problems, 
to  include: 

(1)  The  present  interchurch  organizations  of  the  city. 

(2)  The  methods  by  which  the  churches  thus  organized  are 
related  to  the  civic,  educational,  philanthropic,  recreational, 
industrial,  labor  and  other  organizations  of  the  city. 

(3)  Studies  in  social  problems  of  the  city  in  which  the 
churches  have  or  should  have  special  interest. 


Criticism  and  suggestion  bearing  on  these  reports  will 
be  welcomed.  Questionnaires  will  be  developed  in  detail.  For 
additional  copies  of  this  announcement  and  other  informa- 
tion, address  the  City  Survey  and  Program  of  the  Interchurch 
World  Movement. 


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No.  76.  I.  6.  July  1919. 


